Quinta Bela Sao Tiago

Good location, easy access to main town and restaurants. Lovely view from room balcony and communal areas

Very good hotel and we enjoyed our stay. Would definitely stay again. Staff very friendly and helpful.

Nice hotel in old part of Funchal. Plenty of good restaurants and cafes in walking distance, great ride on cable car, gardens to explore and organised trips - São Vicente caves and the route back was an excellent day out as was the levadas walk and the Blandys Madeira winery tour and tasting.

This is an old Quinta which has been very tastefully extended and modernised. It has a very nice view across the bay. The rooms are a good size, clean and nicely furnished. The beds were a little hard for my liking. There is a choice of rooms either overlooking the outdoor pool and the bay or onto the street. We like our window open and Friday night was very noisy, the rest of the week was OK. A very well situated Quinta, five minutes walk downhill to a vast choice of restaurants. Nice breakfast which could be eaten in the dining room or on the terrace, both overlooking the bay. Very convenient for the chairlift to Monte and the sea front, market and a pick up point for Levada walks. Friendly, hard working, helpful staff.

We love Madeira and we love this hotel. We stayed at the sister hotel Quinta das Vistas last year and were introduced to this hotel as a drop off point for going in to town, so when we decided to go back to Madeira this year it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try the Quinta Bela de Sao Tiago and we weren't disappointed in any way. Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, this hotel is within walking distance of everything that matters in Funchal. Old world charm with modern service typifies this beautiful Quinta. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, who couldn't be more friendly or more helpful. Little details like a library where you can find a wide variety of books in a wide variety of languages just adds to the charm of this hotel. Couldn't recommend it enough

Away from the commercialised western end of Funchal and on the doorstep of the old town, has an enviable position (provided you don't mind the short but fairly steep walk). Hotel itself is either quaint or tired depending on your mindset, but in reality probably both. Rooms could do with a lick of paint but generally OK; good bed, good shower, good view (and sea view upgrade is a must in my opinion). Didn't eat in (it's surrounded by good and cheaper restaurants and bars) so can't comment on food other than breakfast which was good too. Gardens outstanding and pool area excellent (though pool itself not heated and can be cold). Would recommend, but be aware of what it is, and that's not a modern or five-star resort. Personally, would definitely visit again. I can't leave a review though without mentioning the ridiculous (and non-optional) electronic system which 'controls' (I use the word loosely) the lights. What's wrong with a light switch or two? Our hall light would come on randomly during the night and I confess that next day I just removed the bulb. (Suggest you do too if you stay, staff seem equally flummoxed by it all and just reassure without changing anything). It's a kind of 1980's 'Tomorrows World meets Fawlty Towers' concept; funny now but less so at 3am with your wife thinking we're being burgled....

Good traditional hotel. Clean, spacious room with garden/side sea view. Good breakfast. Attractive pool area, but pool too cold. Perfect location for access to the old town, where most of the good restaurants are located.

The hotel is in a good position for the Old Town restaurants. The view is lovely. Our room was more like a suite with a sitting area and two TVs.

We've stayed at the Bela San Tiago twice now, and it is a very good hotel. I'd rate it as a good 4 star. The best feature is the location. It's in the old part of town, close to dozens of bars and restaurants,, but it just far enough away so there is little to no noise. Funchal is really split in to 3 areas: the Old Town with narrow streets full of shops and restaurants, the town centre, with all the modern shopping and facilities and the harbour, and the modern tourist/hotel area where you get loads of big new hotels (often with great sea front positions) but very little Portuguese character. We like the Old Toewn the best, and the Bela is one of the very few hotels there. If you book a sea view room you get amazing views of the sea (obviously!) and the harbour, and the balconies face West usually, so you can enjoy the sunsets. The Bela is a converted and extended grand house, and they've kept the same style throughout the new parts. It has character and style, but is NOT faded and tatty - everything is well maintained. Breakfast is very nice. Choice of fresh fruits, variety of breads and cereals, fresh juices, fizzy wine, cold meats and cheeses, plus hot dishes (bacon, sausage, tomatoes, eggs etc)

7 night stay over New Year, booked at last minute so fairly pricey, but proved an excellent base for doing nothing, wandering around town or ( via bus depot & cable cars) expeditions further afield around the island. It's relatively small and has a nice feel to it, views from sea-facing rooms are great (much of the great sweep of Funchal bay is visible), breakfast buffet good & copious (no idea about dining in - too many restos elsewhere to explore), desk staff helpful with bookings &c. Appears to have a lot of repeat business and the (winter) demographic was mainly 40s/50s+ couples, a fair few of them disappearing daily with stout boots, maps etc. to explore the stunning island interior. The 'edge of town' location means there are lots of (as yet) undeveloped old houses, plots &c around and people actually live there, so it feels more 'real' than the modern hotel zone at the W end of the bay. No doubt this will change over time, but for now there's a pleasant mix of locals and visitors. e.g.: one local hipster-ish bar (Barreirinha Bar Café) does good burgers, live music and on one occasion a trance mix / light show! Likewise nearest resto (O Tasco) was excellent - no real menu, just a chalked-up list of the fish bought from the market that day - and cheaper than cookie-cutter eateries further in. Craft beers available by the bottle for those who crave it (guilty, your honour). Loved the walking on Madeira so I'll be back and would happily stay here again.